Dear Miss Manners: I am a teacher, and due to our school’s class schedule, I only have 20 minutes per day for lunch. This is one of the few moments I have to get some peace, quiet and time to myself ...

Dear Miss Manners: I find the word “perfect” is now overused to the point of confusion. It seems to have replaced “OK,” “thank you” and even “message received.” I hear “perfect” as I’m filling out ...

Dear Miss Manners: I have a tiny house, so I enjoy hosting dinner parties alfresco in my backyard. I recently invited guests to dine when the weather was lovely, 75 degrees with a soft breeze. During ...

Dear Miss Manners: I understand that one usually does not decline gifts. One accepts the piece of bric-a-brac gracefully, and after some tactful time, regifts or donates it. But my in-laws give us ...

Dear Miss Manners: I was visiting several of my siblings, and we went to a Chinese restaurant together. At the last minute, my husband backed out of dinner, as he had a terrible headache and wanted to ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Long ago, when one was sick, friends and acquaintances would bring over soup or a casserole; offer to straighten up, and even do laundry; take care of your children for a few hours ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m 62 and have been divorced for 26 years. I’ve been dating the love of my life for 15 years — we are obviously not in a hurry to tie the knot, though I did give her a beautiful ...

Dear Miss Manners: Our neighbors have invited us to a holiday meal on the same day every year for nearly 20 years. It’s such a tradition that sometimes they wait until quite close to the event to let ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My co-worker was given a surprise baby shower at her mother-in-law’s house. Her husband got her there by fibbing, saying he needed to pick up a tool and she could just sit in the ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was visiting several of my siblings, and we went to a Chinese restaurant together. At the last minute, my husband backed out of dinner, as he had a terrible headache and wanted to ...